Marnie Russ | Saving the Most Vulnerable Through Education and Innovation
Marnie Russ | Saving the Most Vulnerable Through Education and Innovation
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In this episode of the Top Dog Podcast, Marnie Russ, founder of the National Kitten Coalition and Kitten College, shares how she turned a passion for kittens into a nationwide movement focused on saving the most vulnerable animals in shelters.
After leaving a successful career in lobbying, Marnie dedicated her work to neonatal kittens — the most euthanized, yet most adoptable animals in shelters.
“They are the most euthanized… but also the most adoptable.”
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is the importance of education and accessibility. By simplifying kitten care and providing clear, practical resources, Marnie is breaking down barriers that prevent people from fostering.
“We’ve made saving them harder than it needs to be.”
Through programs like Kitten College, she’s helping shelters and rescues implement structured, scalable systems that support both kittens and fosters — improving outcomes across the board.
“A foster has 100% saved that life.”
Marnie also emphasizes flexibility and innovation — creating systems that meet people where they are and make fostering more manageable for everyday volunteers.
“Kittens tell you when they’re hungry.”
At its core, this episode is about rethinking how we approach one of the biggest challenges in animal welfare — and proving that with the right tools and mindset, more lives can be saved.
“We can make this manageable.”
This message is especially important for Dooberteers, fosters, and volunteers. With the right support and resources, anyone can play a role in saving lives — even the tiniest ones.
If you’re passionate about helping animals, join the Doobert community where volunteers, fosters, transporters, and organizations work together to save lives every day. Visit Doobert.com to get involved.
And don’t forget to subscribe to the Top Dog Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Do you know any Top Dogs we should interview? We’re always looking for amazing people in animal welfare to feature on the podcast. Send us an email at tdp@doobert.com.